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Wednesday, 18 July 2018

Marla Ahlgrimm: Beat the Bloat

Bloating is an ugly word for “can’t wear anything but leggings.” There are many reasons that a woman might experience this abdominal discomfort but hormones are often the issue. Keep reading as retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm spills the beans on bloating (and how to stop it).

Q: What causes bloating?Marla Ahlgrimm: The easy answer: Mother Nature. Women experience bloat for a number of reasons. Specific to “that time of the month” bloating is caused by a drop in progesterone levels. Fortunately, it only last a few days as your ovaries kick into high gear and even out hormone levels.Q: Do all women experience it?Marla Ahlgrimm: There are rumors of a lucky few who claim to have never had to beat their belly back because of bloat. It’s estimated that up to 70% of women complain of abdominal swelling just before their period. While many experience slight discomfort, some women report bloating that makes them look several months pregnant.

Q: How can I stop it?Marla Ahlgrimm: Since bloating is caused by an excess of fluids, one of the best things you can do is to fill your diet with high potassium foods and protein. Cantaloupes, asparagus, and tomatoes are all excellent options along with chicken and fish. A glass of water with lemon juice and a snack of celery will also help pull water from your system as these are natural diuretics.

Q: If certain foods can help eliminate bloating, are there foods that make it worse?Marla Ahlgrimm: Absolutely. Foods that cause gas – Brussels sprouts, beans, broccoli, etc. – can make the discomfort twice as bad. This is due to the release of raffinose, a complex sugar the human body can’t break down properly.